How to become an architect

Why study architecture?

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings. Not only will Architecture give you an appreciation of the world we live in, but you will understand how it got that way. Start your journey to a career in architecture at Bellerbys.

Should I become an architect?

Being an architect is a career that requires a high level of determination, patience and passion, but can lead to a very rewarding and fulfilling work life. Problem solving, creativity and forward thinking are just a few of the key skills you will need to succeed as an architect, but with a variety of possible career paths you can pick the one best suited to your strengths and goals.

By working as an architect, you can expect:

High earning potential with good career progression

A competitive work environment

A selection of different career opportunities

The chance to work on both small and large projects

Opportunities to be creative and travel

Preparing to be an architect at Bellerbys

Students looking to become an architect can study either A Levels or the Art and Design Foundation programme at our college in Brighton, one of the UK's most creative and vibrant cities. Here you will gain practical experience and build a student portfolio to help your university application.

What qualifications do I need to be an architect?

If you're looking to study A Levels, then a good subject combination for future architects is Art, Mathematics and Physics. Different universities have different requirements, and many don't specify any preferred subjects. However, you will need to achieve a minimum of A grades across the subjects you choose to study.

Foundation students will usually need to achieve between 60-80% on their programme. Sometimes you will also need to have a Maths qualification alongside your programme, so Bellerbys offers an additional Maths module for Art and Design students.

Most universities require a high level of English, so you will need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.

The top universities for architecture

Our students go on to study Architecture at some of the best universities in the UK, including:

Architectural Association School of Architecture

University of Bath

University of Sheffield

University College London

University of Nottingham

Newcastle University

University of Edinburgh

University of Manchester

University of Liverpool

Steps to become an architect

To become an architect in the UK, you must study a course validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The journey to becoming an architect is split into three parts.

1) Bachelor's degree

Part one is to complete a bachelor’s degree at a RIBA-validated university, which will usually take up to three or four years of study. After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to gain twelve months of practical work experience.

2) Postgraduate degree

Part two involves studying a postgraduate degree, which generally takes two years to complete. After this, you will do another twelve months of work experience.

3) Course at a final RIBA-validated institution

Finally, you will be able to take a course at a final RIBA-validated institution. Once you have graduated, you can register as an architect with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

How long does it take to become an architect?

Due to the qualifications and amount of study required, it takes seven years to study to become an architect in the UK. Three to four years studying for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a postgraduate degree and you’ll also need 12 months of work experience.

Student spotlight

Sofia, an Art and Design Foundation student at Bellerbys Brighton, has been accepted to study Architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. As part of her final module for the Regeneration Project/Scale Door Project, Sofia found inspiration from Brighton's seaside location.

Sofia's project

Sofia's project was a regeneration project, based around an 'unloved' building in Brighton.

Sofia researched the building's usage history to design a mural reflecting it.